ion of the admiral's
opinion, in his presence, as worldly and selfish in the last degree;
and then interpreted it, behind his back, as a hint to discourage his
nephew's visits, which was a downright insult offered to a lady in her
own house. This was foolish enough so far; but worse folly was to come.

"As soon as your uncle was gone, Mrs. Tyrrel, most unwisely and
improperly, sent for Norah, and, repeating the conversation that had
taken place, warned her of the reception she might expect from the man
who stood toward you in the position of a father, if she accepted an
offer of marriage on your part. When I tell you that Norah's faithful
attachment to her sister still remains unshaken, and that there lies
hidden under her noble submission to the unhappy circumstances of her
life a proud susceptibility to slights of all kinds, which is deeply
seated in her nature--you will understand the true motive of the refusal
which has so naturally and so justly disappointed you. They are all
three equally to blame in this matter. Your uncle was wrong to state
his objections so roundly and inconsiderately as he did. Mrs. Tyrrel was
wrong to let her temper get the better of her, and to suppose herself
insulted where no insult was intended. And Norah was wrong to place a
scruple of pride, and a hopeless belief in her sister which no strangers
can be expected to share, above the higher claims of an attachment which
might have secured the happiness and the prosperity of her future life.

"But the mischief has been done. The next question is, can the harm be
remedied?

"I hope and believe it can. My advice is this: Don't take No for an
answer. Give her time enough to reflect on what she has done, and to
regret it (as I believe she will regret it) in secret; trust to my
influence over her to plead your cause for you at every opportunity I
can find; wait patiently for the right moment, and ask her again. Men,
being accustomed to act on reflection themselves, are a great deal too
apt to believe that women act on reflection, too. Women do nothing of
the sort. They act on impulse; and, in nine cases out of ten, they are
heartily sorry for it afterward.

"In the meanwhile, you must help your own interests by inducing your
uncle to alter his opinion, or at least to make the concession of
keeping his opinion to himself. Mrs. Tyrrel has rushed to the conclusion
that the harm he has done he did intentionally--which is as much as to
say, in so